Advice on COPD and asthma during the crisis
There are approximately 5,035 people with asthma in Sligo and the Asthma Society of Ireland has issued advice on how best to cope during the Covid-19 emergency and has pleaded with sufferers not to panic buy their medicine.
The Asthma Society of Ireland is advising people with asthma to be extra vigilant in their asthma management and follow the advice set out by the HSE.
The Society runs a free Asthma and COPD Adviceline on 1800 44 54 64.
The Society says there is no national shortage of asthma and COPD medication and is appealing to patients to refrain from stockpiling medications during the current coronavirus pandemic.
Sarah O’Connor, CEO of the Asthma Society of Ireland, said: “The Asthma Society has been liaising closely with the IPU, the HSE, the Department of Health and with various pharmaceutical companies who have reassured us that there is a good stock of asthma and COPD medications in Ireland.
“There is no need to order extra medicines than you need for the coming month.
“This will affect the supply of medicines for others.
“There is no disruption to the supply of medicines – our Irish supply chains are well-stocked, established and reliable.
“Over the past two weeks, we’ve had people with asthma and/or COPD reaching out to us expressing their concerns that some pharmacies are running out of medications for asthma and COPD.
“But there is no need to be concerned about this.
“Re-stocking of pharmacies with these medications was delayed over the weekend due to people with respiratory illnesses panic-buying medications to last several months in recent weeks.
“We have been reassured that this minor delay was temporary and has been resolved with deliveries to pharmacies in recent days.
“Although it is very important to ensure you have enough medication to comply with instructions given by your doctor, at this current critical time, we are calling on our people with respiratory illnesses to please ensure they only purchase enough medication for one month.
“Panic buying” in this manner is resulting in others with respiratory illnesses unable to access essential medication. During this uncertain time, please be considerate of others.”
The Society has been inundated with calls from individuals with asthma and COPD who are extremely worried about how coronavirus will affect them if they get it and what additional precautions they can take to minimise their chances of contracting the virus.
Unfortunately, international data indicates if people with asthma and other respiratory conditions contract coronavirus, the health impact can be more severe; they are more likely to experience complications and to need hospital treatment.
The most important thing that people with asthma or COPD can do is to ensure that their underlying condition is well managed.
Top Tips for Managing your Asthma:
•Take your preventer inhaler as prescribed.
This will decrease your risk suffering an asthma attack and reduce your asthma symptoms. Check out the Asthma Society’s information on preventer inhalers
•Have an up-to-date Asthma Action Plan which will help you recognise when your asthma is deteriorating – download one here
•Have an up-to-date Communications Card which will help you manage your COPD
•Always carry your reliever inhaler (usually blue) with you in case of an asthma emergency – reliever inhaler over-reliance
•Know the 5 Step Rule – which will help you manage an asthma attack if one occurs – download our Asthma Attack Card here
•Know your asthma triggers in order to avoid them where possible – check out our information on asthma triggers here
•Ensure you are practicing proper inhaler technique – check our Inhaler Technique page for demonstrations of all the inhalers on the Irish market here
•If your inhaler requires a spacer, we recommend you use one to ensure best medication delivery – check out our information on spacer usage here
•Do not smoke and avoid areas where smoke is present if possible
•If you feel like your symptoms are deteriorating, or if you are experiencing a “new” fever or “new” cough - call your GP as soon as possible and they will support and advise you
•Get your prescription filled to ensure you have enough medication for one month – the Department of Health and Irish Pharmacy Union have assured us that there is no need to stock up beyond that
For public and healthcare professional safety reasons, the Society has deferred its Asthma in the Pharmacy nurse clinics for March and a decision on the April clinics will be made in coming days.